Suspension Package

ABSTRACT

An inventive suspension packaging insert for the protection and immobilization of an article during transit is disclosed. The inventive insert incorporates a top panel and a bottom with panel, each with a pair of side panels and an end panel that that extend from the top and bottom panel and are foldable to allow easy insert into the outer box. The inventive insert incorporates side panels that have a diagonal cutout, and a circular cutout that traverses the end panels and the top and bottom panels, which each allow for easier removal of the insert from the outer box, and thus the article, and minimizes the damage that can incur during article removal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a packaging assembly. More specifically, it relates to an improved packaging assembly structure for holding an article in place to prevent damage during shipping the inventive packaging assembly facilitates removing the article from the packaging with a lower risk of damage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Protective packaging is often used when transporting an article. It is often necessary to protect that article from contaminants, such as dirt, dust, and debris. Protective packaging may also protect an article from damage during shipping. For example, when shipping relatively fragile articles, it is desirable to place these articles inside a box that protects against physical impacts during loading, transit, and unloading. Moreover, it is important to protect these articles with additional structures that prevent movement within the box that may cause damage. Such additional structures traditionally include paper or plastic packing material, structured plastic foams, and foam-filled cushions, among others.

A useful form of packaging for especially fragile articles is frequently referred to as suspension packaging. This allows the article to be suspended within the box so as to be spaced from the sides of the box to protect the article against foreign objects which may impact or compromise the outer sides of the box.

A variety of suspension packaging systems have been developed to protect fragile articles during transit. Examples of these suspension packages are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,405,000; 5,967, 327; 6,302.274; 7,086,534; and 7,775,367. In each of these disclosures, the article is placed in a thin plastic sleeve or is suspended between two layers of thin plastic film material. However, no easy way to remove the article without ripping the package and risking damage to the article or causing the article to drop from the packaging completely when removing it from its packaging.

Therefore, a need exists for a new, effective, and improved, suspension package that allows for easier removal that limits the risk of damage to the package and/or the article during removal from the outer box.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a suspension package member designed to be inserted into an outer box. An item to be shipped is placed within the folded suspension package member, which is configured to fit inside the outer box such that the shipped item does not physically touch any side of the outer box. Accordingly, if the outer box is damaged, the shipped item is less likely to be damaged. Furthermore. if the outer box is dropped or impacted—as may occur during shipping—the shipped item is less likely to move within the package or be damaged. One embodiment of the suspension packaging member includes a panel having a top portion and a bottom portion, perforated edges around the top panel and bottom panel and a perforated edge separating the top and bottom panel.

The perforated edges around the top panel defines a pair of folding side panels and an end panel, and the perforated edges around the bottom panel also define a first pair of folding side panels and end panel. Each of the side panels includes a first end that is adjacent to the end panel and second end that is central to the end panel, wherein a side panel is connected to the top panel and a side panel is connected to the bottom panel meet at the central folding perforated edge separating the top panel and the bottom panel. Each second end of the four side panels has a cutout that meets at the central folding perforated edge separating the top panel and the bottom panel to allow for easier removal of the packaging insert and the article. In one embodiment the diagonal cutouts permit the folded top and bottom panels to be separated without fully removing the suspension packaging member from the outer box.

The side panels are connected to the top panel and the bottom panel along a perforated fold line, the end panels are connected to the top panel and the bottom panel along a perforated fold line. The top panel and the bottom panel each has a window opening in the center with a flexible, plastic film connected to the underside extending across the window opening of each of the top panel and the bottom panel, which allows for the article to rest during transit. A first end of the top panel and a first end of the bottom panel and first end of the pair of end panels has a cutout portion allowing the folded sides of the suspension package member to be easily pulled apart by a user's fingers.

The folding side panels and end panels may be folded to a 180 degree angle allowing for the insert to fit into the outer box. The folding side panels and end panels rest against the inside walls of the outer box. The insert is foldable at the central perforated edge wherein top panel rests on the underside of the bottom panel allowing for the insert to lit comfortably inside the outer box without extra room for the insert to move during transit.

Examples of film material that may be used in the inventive suspension package include, but are not limited to, Polyethylene, Low Density Polyethylene. Linear Low Density Polyethylene, Medium Density Polyethylene, High Density Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Cast Polypropylene, Oriented Polypropylene, Metalized Polyester, Metalized Oriented Polypropyle, Polyester, Nylon, Paper Poly Foil Poly, Film Foil Laminations, anti-static packaging and electrostatic discharge packaging.

The film may include additives such or coatings such as: Ethylene acrylic acid, Metallocenes, Surlyn, Ethylene (vinyl alcohol), Poly (vinylidene chloride). It may also feature Poly Extrusion Lamination.

In one embodiment. the film extends around the cutout portion of the first end portions of the top, bottom and end panels so that tension placed on the respective panels will also be distributed to the film, thereby allowing for separation of the film as well as the respective panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the suspension package member, as inserted into a box.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the suspension package member within a box.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the suspension package member in a folded position.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the suspension package member shown in a partially folded position.

FIG. 5 is another view of the suspension package member folded.

FIG. 6 is a perspective of the suspension package member in a partially unfolded state while inserted into a box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a suspension package member 100 is folded into so as to be positioned inside outer box 101, wherein the end panels 102, 103 are flush against the inside walls of the outer box 101, thus creating a secure suspension of the article to be shipped during transit.

FIG. 2 shows another perspective of the suspension package member 200 folded so as to be positioned inside outer box 201, wherein the end panels 202, 203 are flush against the side walls of the outer box 201, thus creating secure suspension of the article to be shipped during transit.

FIG. 3 shows the suspension package member 300 formed of a stable body 301 having a top panel and bottom panel 302, 303 connected along a perforated fold line 304. The top panel 302 includes foldable first and second side panels 305, 306 which are connected to the top panel 302 along perforated fold lines 307, 308, respectively. Similarly, foldable first and second side panels 309, 310 are connected to the bottom panel 303 along perforated fold lines 311, 312, respectively. The top panel 302 includes foldable end panel 315 which his connected to the top panel 302 along perforated fold line 317. Similarly, the bottom panel 303 includes foldable end panel 316 which is connected to the bottom panel 303 along perforated fold line 318. A pair of cutouts 313, 314 traverse the bottom portion of end panel 315 and top portion of top panel 302, and the bottom portion of end panel 316 and top portion of bottom panel 303. The cutouts 313, 314 provide a way to grip the package insert for easy removal of the item suspended within the package. Further, the side panels 305, 306 have a diagonal first end 319. 320, respectively, that allows for easy lifting of the package insert when removing from the outer box. Similarly, side panels 309, 310 have a diagonal first end 321, 322, respectively, that also allows for easy lifting of the package insert when removing from the outer box. Additionally, the top and bottom panel 302, 303 includes window openings 323, 324 with a flexible, plastic film 325, 326 extending across the window opening 323, 324 allowing for an article to be enclosed by the plastic film.

FIG. 4 shows the suspension package member 400 is foldable along perforated fold line 401 that provides an axis.

FIG. 5 shows top panel 501 resting upon bottom panel 502 creating a suspension package member 500 where an article can be placed on flexible, plastic film 503 during transit. Diagonal first ends 504, 505 of side panels 508, 509. respectively, allow for easy removal of the package insert 500 when lifting from the outer box. Similarly, diagonal first ends 506, 507 of side panels 510, 511, respectively, allow for easy removal of the package insert 500 when lifting from the outer box. Circular cutout 512 allows for easy gripping and removal of the package insert 500 from the outer box.

As shown in FIG. 6, package insert 600 fits in outer box 601. Package insert 600 may be lifted from outer box 601 by circular cutout 602. Diagonal first ends 603, 604 of side panels 605, 606 allow for easy removal of the package insert 600 by leaving space so side panels 605, 606 do not rub against side walls of outer box 601, thus reducing the risk of damaging or dropping the article during removal. Furthermore, the circular cutout permits easy unfolding of suspension package member so that the article being shipped may be removed from the packaging when the suspension package member is unfolded. The suspension package member may be substantially unfolded without removing the inventive insert from the outer box.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A suspension packaging member adapted for insertion into an outer box, comprising: a base having a top panel and a bottom panel, wherein said top panel and said bottom panel each comprise a pair of foldably connected side panels and end panels; perforated edges on all sides of said top panel and said bottom panel, wherein said side panels and said panel on said top panel and said bottom panel foldably connect; a first pair of said perforated edges opposite said side panels of said top panel and said bottom panel to form a pair of folding said side panels, each including a first end and a second end; a pair of cutouts in the center of said top panel and said bottom panel forming a window opening; a flexible film material connected to said top panel and said bottom panel so as to extend across the underside of said window opening; a diagonal cutout on said first end of said side panels; a pair of cutouts along said perforated edge of said end panels configured to facilitate pulling apart the top and bottom panels when the suspension package member is a folded configuration.
 2. The suspension package of claim 1 wherein the flexible film material extends around the top and bottom portions of at least said cutout along said perforated edge of the end panel corresponding to the top panel. 